Accession Number1984/2.13
TitleTile with Hopi Thunderbird
Artist(s)Laura TomasieArtist NationalityNative AmericanObject Creation Datecirca 1964Medium & Supportpolychrome slip on low fired ceramicDimensions 5 9/16 in x 4 in x 3/8 in (14.2 cm x 10.2 cm x 1 cm)
Credit LineGift of Estelle Titiev, from the collection of Mischa TitievSubject matterWith this tile, Tomasie updates the
katsina tourist tiles of the late nineteenth century (see Object No. 1984/2.14). Thunderbirds were cosmological symbols widely shared across indigenous North America and were often connected to the powers expressed through thunder and lightning. The depiction here is specifically a Hopi expression, and can be found on other Puebloan pottery of the mid-twentieth century.
Physical DescriptionRed orange rectangular tile with a thin black line border and black Thunderbird design.
Primary Object Classification Ceramic Primary Object TypetileCollection AreaWesternRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
Hopi (culture or style)
Pueblo (Native American style)
abstraction
ceramic tile
cosmology
face
hands
kachina dolls
modern and contemporary art
plaque